Social Sciences & Humanities: Guy Emrich '26
Major(s) and minor(s)
B.A. in Political Science
B.A. in Black Studies
Minor in Legal Studies
Pronouns
He/Him
Hometown
Lancaster, PA
Areas of interest/focus in research
My research interests largely center on the formations, expressions, and intersections of race, class, and gender with specific attention towards how policing, criminalization, the law, and society writ large are informed and implicated by those broad categories. More specifically in that regard, I'm interested in exploring how society is constructed--how it ebbs and flows in structuring our lives--as well as how we--through the distillation and consumption of ideology--also then structure society in the how and why of things. All in all, I'm interested in exploring the "way of being" and "way of knowing" that has come to encapsulate modernity.
Labs/departments/offsite locations where research was conducted
I've conducted research in both the Departments of Political Science (with Professor Yntiso) and Black Studies (with Professor McHarris).
About me...
Hi! My name's Guy, and I'm majoring in Political Science and Black Studies with a minor in Legal Studies. I'm from Lancaster, PA, but I went to high school in Chocolatetown, USA (aka Hershey, Pennsylvania). I'm around on campus pretty often, either working or hanging out with friends, but feel free to say hey if you see me!
Outside of research, I'm an intern at the Monroe County Public Defender's Office, and I'm pretty passionate about community organizing and advocacy. In my free time, I'm normally doomscrolling on social media, watching either a movie or TV show, or playing videogames.
How has your experience as a researcher influenced your career objectives?
My experience in research has been foundational for me in exploring my career interests. I came into undergrad with the intent to pursue a degree in Political Science with very normative goals, but my experience has led me in a very different direction, hence my decision to also major in Black Studies.
Now, I'm very intent on pursuing my research interests at the highest level and entering into academia which I (probably) never would have pursued as vigorously if I hadn't become so involved in research.
Campus organizations, programs, activities, clubs, awards/distinctions
- U.S. Congressional Commendation
- Truman Scholarship Nominee
- McNair Scholar
- Minority Student Advisory Board
- Monroe County Public Defender Office (MCPDO) Intern
Fun Fact: when I'm not doing research you can usually find me...
Floating around Wilco, Genesee, or in the Black Studies Department!
Areas where I may be particularly helpful
- Humanities Research (Critical Cultural Analysis)
- Social Science Research (Criminal Justice Politics)
- Legal Research (Criminal Procedure Law & Caselaw)
- Qualitative and Quantitative Research Methods
- Research & Professional Development
What advice do you have for prospective or new researchers?
My best advice for new researchers is to take a deep breath, soak up as much knowledge and experience as you can, and then focus on whatever you're doing and where you wanna go. For prospective researchers (and this can apply to new/current researchers also), take a moment to think about why you wanna do research. Is it work experience for a future industry career? Future government, law, or policy related work? Activism and advocacy? Academia? Something else or a combination?
Whatever that answer may be (and it may possibly change along your journey), it's important to understand that about yourself in order to best position yourself for success in research and later on in your other endeavors. However, as many others have said, passion and curiosity, while not explicit requirements, are crucial to a fruitful research experience, and so long as you have those things, the world is your oyster!
Email me at: gemrich@u.rochester.edu